Catamaran Mauritius: South East 5 Islands Catamaran Cruises

The best part of this 5-island catamaran cruise is its mix of water time, island scenery, lunch, and wildlife watching. You move through the southeast coast of Mauritius by boat, with time to swim and snorkel instead of simply looking at the lagoon from the deck.

I like the all-inclusive food and drinks, which make the $82 price easier to justify, and I like the range of stops, from Ile aux Cerfs to the old lighthouse at Ile aux Fouquets. The main caution is timing: the waterfall stop lasts about 30 minutes, and one recent booking found that too short for a relaxed visit.

Key points

• A full 390-minute outing: Allow six and a half hours for the cruise, island visits, swimming, lunch, and sightseeing.
• Pointe D’Esny departure: You meet at Pointe Jerome wharf, with paid pickup available if arranged at least 48 hours ahead.
• BBQ lunch and drinks onboard: Coffee, beer, wine, spirits, dessert, and welcome refreshments are included.
• Several kinds of scenery: Expect lagoon views, Ile aux Cerfs, the Grand River South East Waterfall, Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, and a view of Ile aux Aigrettes.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: The crew looks for dolphins, tortoises, and marine life, while snorkeling gives you a closer look at the water.
• Helpful crew names: Jonathan and Nathalie handle arrival at the wharf, and Pascal and Alex are among the skippers and crew praised for the day’s organization.

Six and a Half Hours on Mauritius’s Southeast Coast

This is a long half-day on the water, not a quick harbor ride. The 390-minute schedule gives you time for a proper meal, swimming, snorkeling, island sightseeing, and a few quiet stretches when the best plan is simply to sit back.

The boat is a powered catamaran, so you are not depending on wind to move between stops. That matters on a packed day, since the route covers several points along the southeast coast and returns to the same place where you started.

You meet at the Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf at Pointe D’Esny. Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before departure, and look for Jonathan or Nathalie on the left side of the wharf when facing the sea. That small detail can save you a rushed start.

Paid pickup can be arranged, but you must request it no later than 48 hours before the excursion. If you are staying elsewhere in Mauritius, check the extra transport cost before booking so the total price is clear.

What the $82 Price Really Covers

At $82 per person, this outing is priced as a full package rather than a simple boat transfer. You receive the catamaran cruise, drinks, BBQ lunch, swimming, snorkeling, island visits, waterfall sightseeing, and the services of professional skippers.

Food and drinks can make a large difference to the value of a boat day. Coffee, beer, wine, spirits, dessert, and welcome refreshments are included, so you are not paying separately every time you want something to drink. The meal is served onboard, which keeps the group together and avoids losing time searching for food at a stop.

The price also covers several different parts of the coast. You are not visiting only one beach and returning. The route adds Ile aux Cerfs, the waterfall, the lighthouse island, and a view of Ile aux Aigrettes, along with the open-water portions between them.

I would consider this good value if you want one organized day that combines food, sightseeing, and water activities. It is less compelling if you want a quiet private boat ride with long, unhurried stops at one beach.

A private group option is available, but the supplied details do not specify the private-group price or size. Ask for those figures before paying if privacy matters to you.

Starting with Coffee at Pointe Jerome

The day begins at Pointe Jerome, where you check in, have coffee, and receive a safety briefing. This is a useful start because the day includes several activities, and you want to know the basic boat and water procedures before reaching the swimming areas.

The departure point at Pointe D’Esny puts you near the southeast lagoon. From here, the cruise becomes as much about the journey as the stops. Scenic views accompany the ride, and the peaceful pace gives you time to settle into the sea day.

English and French are the tour languages. That is useful for both the safety instructions and the commentary about the islands, though the information provided does not promise a set amount of historical explanation at every stop.

Bring your camera, but protect it around the water. A hat, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, flip-flops, and water shoes are also recommended. The advice about footwear deserves attention: one booking specifically found beach shoes more useful than ordinary flip-flops at Ile aux Cerfs.

Ile aux Cerfs: The Main Swimming and Lunch Stop

Ile aux Cerfs is the centerpiece of the day. Here you have time for a BBQ meal, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, scenic views, and a self-guided look around the island.

The appeal is simple. You get a beach and lagoon setting, then the freedom to choose how active you want to be. Swimmers can get into the clear water, snorkelers can look for fish and other marine life, and anyone who has had enough sun can stay aboard with a drink.

The snorkeling is a real part of the experience, not just a passing promise. Reports from the outing include sightings of nice fish, but the exact marine life depends on conditions and luck. Bring water shoes if you have them, since they can be more practical than bare feet around shorelines.

The BBQ lunch is served onboard, along with drinks and dessert. That arrangement has two benefits: you do not need to leave the cruise to find food, and the meal becomes part of the social atmosphere on the catamaran. It also means lunch timing is set by the crew, rather than being a long independent beach break.

I would keep expectations sensible about Ile aux Cerfs. It is a popular island stop with attractive beach scenery, not a deserted island experience. Its strength is the combination of swimming, food, and easy access from the boat.

Looking for Dolphins and Tortoises

Wildlife watching is included, but it is never guaranteed. The crew hopes to find dolphins and tortoises, and the route includes time for marine-life viewing. You might see them close to the boat, or you might get only a distant glimpse.

That uncertainty is part of the nature of the activity. Do not book this solely for a promised dolphin encounter. Book it because the cruise remains worthwhile through snorkeling, island scenery, food, and the waterfall even if the animals stay out of sight.

Several bookings describe dolphins and giant tortoises seen in their natural setting. That suggests the crew is attentive to wildlife, but it does not change the basic rule: conditions, location, and animal behavior decide what you see.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole day staring through a screen. The lagoon, islands, and changing views are the main event, with wildlife as a welcome bonus.

The Grand River South East Waterfall

The waterfall visit lasts about 30 minutes and provides a change from the open lagoon. You leave the broad sea views for a short sightseeing stop at the Grand River South East Waterfall.

Thirty minutes is enough to see the site and take photographs, but it is not a long exploration. If you like to linger, walk, or wait for several different views, this stop may feel hurried. One booking made exactly that point, calling the waterfall visit too short.

I would treat this as a scenic pause rather than the main purpose of the cruise. The value comes from adding a freshwater sight to a day otherwise focused on islands and sea. If the waterfall is your top priority, you may prefer a dedicated land excursion with more time there.

Ile aux Fouquets and Its Lighthouse

Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile au Phare, is another distinctive part of the route. The island is known for its lighthouse, and you have time to visit and look around independently while taking in the views from the water.

The lighthouse gives the cruise a stronger sense of place than a simple beach stop. It connects the scenery with the working and navigational past of the coast, even though the supplied details do not promise a long guided talk at the site.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a quick visit and photographs, but again, you should not expect a long walk or an extended island exploration. The catamaran’s purpose is to show you several places in one day, so each individual stop has a limit.

Passing Ile aux Aigrettes

Ile aux Aigrettes is viewed from the boat rather than visited. The pass-by lasts about 15 minutes, making it the briefest named island moment on the route.

This is a good example of the cruise’s overall style. You get a broad sampler of the southeast coast, but not a detailed visit to every island. If you enjoy seeing several places and hearing about them from the crew, this works well. If you want to step ashore at every location, the schedule may feel too fast.

Use this section of the cruise to take photographs and enjoy the changing views. Do not expect a formal island tour or a long stop at Ile aux Aigrettes.

Crew, Food, and the Feel of the Day

The crew is a major part of any boat excursion. Jonathan is associated with the transportation and arrival arrangements, while Jonathan, Nathalie, Pascal, and Alex are names connected with the crew and smooth running of the day.

The strongest praise centers on organization, attentive service, good food, and a friendly mood onboard. Pascal and Alex are specifically credited with helping create a memorable outing, including close sightings of dolphins and giant tortoises.

That does not mean the day is formal or luxurious. It is a social catamaran cruise with shared meals, drinks, swimming, and sightseeing. The phrase good ambiance fits the experience better than a quiet, private charter.

The BBQ and beverage service are practical advantages. You can settle into the day without planning lunch separately, and the crew keeps refreshments moving as the schedule allows. If you have dietary restrictions, tell the operator when booking. The information provided specifically asks you to state any meal restrictions.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a full day at sea with variety. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who enjoy alternating between swimming, food, wildlife watching, and short sightseeing stops.

It is also a good fit if you want a guided structure without spending the entire day on land. The crew handles the route, meals, and boat operation, while you choose how much time to spend swimming, snorkeling, photographing, or relaxing.

You may want a different option if your main goal is a long snorkeling session. The schedule includes snorkeling, but it also includes several islands, a waterfall, a lighthouse, lunch, and wildlife watching. The water time is one part of a varied day, not the entire focus.

You should also think twice if you dislike group outings or set schedules. The private-group option may solve the first concern, but you need to ask about its cost and arrangements. The fixed route and short stops may not suit someone who wants to linger at one beach.

Practical Details Before You Go

Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack a towel, hat, sunscreen, camera, flip-flops, and water shoes. Water shoes are particularly sensible for Ile aux Cerfs, where beach footwear may be more useful than ordinary sandals.

Arrive at Pointe Jerome no later than 20 minutes before departure. Find Jonathan or Nathalie on the left side of the wharf when you face the sea. The meeting point is at Pointe D’Esny, and the excursion returns to the Philao Boat Cruise departure point.

Pets are not allowed. English and French are available, and private groups can be requested. The cruise lasts 390 minutes, though you should check the available departure time for your chosen date.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the excursion for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. These policies are useful when your Mauritius plans are still shifting, but check the final booking terms for your date.

Should You Book the Five-Island Cruise?

Book it if you want one well-filled southeast coast outing with lunch, drinks, swimming, and sightseeing all handled together. The route gives you more variety than a short beach transfer, and the $82 price is reasonable once the BBQ, drinks, boat ride, and several stops are counted.

Go in knowing that the dolphin and tortoise sightings depend on luck, and the waterfall and lighthouse visits are brief. If you can accept short stops in exchange for a broad taste of the coast, this is a strong choice. If you want long, quiet time in one place, choose a smaller or more specialized boat trip instead.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

The cruise meets at Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf in Pointe D’Esny and returns to the Philao Boat Cruise departure point.

How long does the excursion last?

The excursion lasts 390 minutes, or six and a half hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the five-island cruise, drinks, BBQ lunch, swimming, snorkeling, island visits, the waterfall stop, sightseeing at Ile aux Fouquets, a view of Ile aux Aigrettes, and wildlife watching for dolphins and tortoises.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks cover welcome refreshments, coffee, beer, wine, and spirits. Dessert is also included with the meal.

Which islands are included in the route?

The route includes Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouquets or Ile au Phare, and a pass by Ile aux Aigrettes. It also includes the Grand River South East Waterfall.

Can I arrange hotel pickup?

Pickup can be arranged for an additional cost if you request it at least 48 hours before the excursion date.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, flip-flops, and water shoes. Water shoes are especially useful for the Ile aux Cerfs stop.

Is the cruise available in English?

Yes. The live tour guide service is available in English and French.